Senate debates

Thursday, 14 May 2009

  • Petitions (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      The Clerk: Petitions have been lodged for presentation as follows:
  • Notices (0 speeches)
    • Presentation (0 speeches)
      Senator Minchin to move on the next day of sitting:That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Infrastructure Australia Act 2008 to ensure proper assessment of the...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Rearrangement (1 speech)
      I move: That the following government business orders of the day be considered from 12.45 pm till not later than 2 pm today:Tax Laws Amendment (Small Business and General Business Tax Break) Bill...
  • Nuclear Non-Proliferation (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I move:That the Senate—(a)notes:(i)the efforts of the Australian and Japanese governments to advance the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation agenda through the formation of the...
  • Environment Protection (Beverage Container Deposit and Recovery Scheme) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to provide for environmentally sustainable use of resources and best practice in waste management by establishing a national...
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to table the explanatory memorandum and have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Consideration of Legislation (2 speeches)
      I move: That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the following bills, allowing them to be considered during this period of sittings:Financial Assistance...
  • National Sorry Day (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I move: That, as recommended in the Bringing them home report tabled in the Senate on 26 May 1997, the Senate recognises that 26 May is National Sorry Day, a day of remembrance each year to...
  • Sports Culturre (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I move:That the Senate—(a)recognises:(i)the need for cultural change within some sporting organisations relating to problems including violence and attitudes towards women, and(ii)the high...
  • Tasmanian Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts (0 speeches)
    • (3 speeches)
      I, and also on behalf of Senator Milne, move: That the Senate calls on the Tasmanian Government not to disband the Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts, which was originally...
  • Notices (0 speeches)
    • Postponement (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That business of the Senate notice of motion no. 1, standing in my name for today, proposing a reference to the Standing Committee of Senators’ Interests, be...
  • Parliamentary Superannuation Amendment (Removal of Excessive Super) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Act 1948 to remove excessive superannuation arrangements for federal...
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as follows— Parliamentary...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Wetlands (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I move:That the Senate supports the moves by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts (Mr Garrett) to protect New South Wales wetlands which are the habitat of the vulnerable...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Nation-Building Funds Amendment Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      Bill received from the House of Representatives.
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as follows— Nation-Building Funds...
  • National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical and Other Benefits — Cost Recovery) Bill 2008 [No. 2] (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      Bill received from the House of Representatives.
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as follows— National Health...
  • Remuneration Tribunal Determination (0 speeches)
    • Motion for Disallowance (8 speeches)
      I move: That Part 3 (clauses 3.1 to 3.3) of Determination 2009/04: Remuneration and Allowances for Holders of Public Office; and Members of Parliament – Entitlements and Office Holders...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Economics Legislation Committee; Reference (37 speeches)
      I move:That on the introduction of any of the following bills into the House of Representatives or any other bill that forms part of the Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme,...
    • Environment, Communications and the Arts Committee; Report (1 speech)
      On behalf of the Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts, I present the report on the reporting of sports news and the emergence of digital media,...
  • Budget (0 speeches)
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Rearrangement (1 speech)
      I move: That intervening business be postponed til after consideration of government business orders of the day relating to the Social Security and Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (2009...
  • Social Security and Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (2009 Budget Measures) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (3 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 13 May, on motion by Senator Ludwig: That this bill be now read a second time.
    • Third Reading (0 speeches)
      Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Rearrangement (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That intervening business be postponed till after consideration of government business orders of the day relating to the Social Security and Family Assistance Legislation...
  • Financial Assistance Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (4 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 13 May, on motion by Senator Ludwig: That this bill be now read a second time.
    • Third Reading (0 speeches)
      Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
  • Employment and Workplace Relations Amendment Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      Debate resumed from 13 May, on motion by Senator Sherry: That this bill be now read a second time.
    • In Committee (1 speech)
      Bill—by leave—taken as a whole.
  • Customs Legislation Amendment (Name Change) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (0 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 20 March, on motion by Senator Stephens: That this bill be now read a second time. Question agreed to. Bill read a second time.
    • Third Reading (0 speeches)
      Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
  • Customs Amendment (Enhanced Border Controls and Other Measures) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (0 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 10 March, on motion by Senator Ludwig: That this bill be now read a second time. Question agreed to. Bill read a second time.
    • Third Reading (0 speeches)
      Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Rearrangement (1 speech)
      I move: That government business order of the day no. 8 (Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Identity Crimes and Other Measures) Bill 2008) be postponed till the next day of sittings. Question...
  • Telecommunications Interception Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2008 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (2 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 5 February, on motion by Senator Wong: That this bill be now read a second time.
    • Third Reading (0 speeches)
      Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
  • Australian Business Investment Partnership Bill 2009; Australian Business Investment Partnership (Consequential Amendment) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
    • In Committee (2 speeches)
      Bills—by leave—taken together and as a whole.
  • Tax Laws Amendment (Small Business and General Business Tax Break) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      Bill received from the House of Representatives.
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I table a revised explanatory memorandum relating to the bill and move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
    • Third Reading (0 speeches)
      Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
  • Australian Business Investment Partnership Bill 2009; Australian Business Investment Partnership (Consequential Amendment) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
  • Tax Laws Amendment (Small Business and General Business Tax Break) Legislation (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I seek leave to make a statement for no longer than five minutes. Leave granted. I thank the Senate. The coalition has always said that it would not frustrate the passage of the Tax Laws...
  • Australian Business Investment Partnership Bill 2009; Australian Business Investment Partnership (Consequential Amendment) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Budget (45 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Conroy. Is it a fact that the government has included $12.99 billion in extra revenue from the proposed CPRS in its forward...
    • Broadband (15 speeches)
      My question is also to the Minister for Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy, in respect of his proposal to spend billions of taxpayer funds on the National Broadband...
    • Budget (9 speeches)
      My question is to Senator Conroy, the Minister representing the Treasurer. Isn’t it true that tucked away in the budget papers is the revelation that: Beer excise is expected to grow by 8.0...
    • Asylum Seekers (8 speeches)
      My question is to Senator Faulkner, the Minister representing the Minister for Defence. Will the minister advise whether the government has yet received the Defence Border Protection Command...
    • Higher Education (4 speeches)
      My question is to Senator Carr, the Minister representing the Minister for Education. Can the minister update the Senate on the government’s reform program for Australia’s higher...
    • Budget (10 speeches)
      My question is to Senator Carr, the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. Will the minister confirm that the $10 million available over four years that he announced in the...
  • Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
    • Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
      I have just been provided with so more information that might assist Senator Ferguson in relation to the SIEV36 issue. I understand that Defence was required under subpoena to provide all Defence...
    • Budget (1 speech)
      In answer to Senator Cormann’s question on how many people will be affected by the changes to private health insurance in the budget, I can provide the following clarifying remark. Around...
    • Swine Influenza (1 speech)
      With regard to a second matter that Senator Bob Brown asked yesterday—I will call it the swine flu question—I seek leave to incorporate the answer in Hansard. Leave granted. The...
    • Budget (1 speech)
      In response to a question from Senator Boyce, I am now advised that Senator Boyce was quoting me from, as I understand it, a speech I gave in respect of the Medibank Private Sale Bill 2006. I...
  • Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
    • Budget (13 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Human Services (Senator Ludwig) to questions without notice asked by senators Cormann and Boyce today relating to private...
  • Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
    • (3 speeches)
      I seek leave to make a personal explanation. Leave granted. On Tuesday during debate on a matter of public importance, Senator Arbib made certain comments in this place. I have now had the...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Community Affairs Committee; Report: Government Response (1 speech)
      I present the government’s response to the report of the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs on its inquiry into supporting families through disability trusts, and seek leave to...
    • Appropriations and Staffing Committee; Report (1 speech)
      I present the 47th report of the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations and Staffing on the estimates for the Department of the Senate 2009-10. Ordered that the report be printed.
  • Budget (0 speeches)
    • Portfolio Budget Statements (1 speech)
      I table a correction to the 2009-10 portfolio budget statements for the Attorney-General’s portfolio.
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Selection of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
      by leave—At the request of the Chair of the Senate Selection of Bills Committee. Senator O’brien, I present the fifth report for 2009 of the Selection of Bills Committee. Ordered that...
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Tabling (1 speech)
      The Clerk: Documents are tabled in accordance with the list circulated to senators. Details of the documents appear at the end of today’s Hansard.
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Membership (2 speeches)
      Order! The President has received letters from party leaders appointing members to committees.
  • Customs Tariff Validation Bill 2009; Excise Tariff Validation Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
    • Assent (0 speeches)
      Messages from the Governor-General reported informing the Senate of assent to the bills.
  • Economy (0 speeches)
    • (72 speeches)
      by leave—At the request of Senator Parry, I move: That the Senate notes that the Rudd Government’s poor economic management and the 2009-10 Budget has crippled Australia’s...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Rearrangement (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That the order of the Senate agreed to on 12 May 2009, relating to the hours of meeting for today, be varied to read:That the hours of meeting for Thursday, 14 May 2009 be...
  • Employment and Workplace Relations Amendment Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
    • Returned from the House of Representatives (0 speeches)
      Message received from the House of Representatives agreeing to the amendments requested by the Senate to the bill.
    • Third Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Budget (0 speeches)
    • Statement and Documents (3 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 12 May, on motion by Senator Sherry: That the Senate take note of the Budget statement and documents.
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      Order! It being 8.45 pm, I propose the question: That the Senate do now adjourn.
    • Breast Cancer; Mrs Francesca Gwyther (1 speech)
      Last Sunday was Mother’s Day and each year thousands of women, men and children participate in the Mother’s Day Classic, the biggest community fundraising event for breast cancer...
    • Mrs Barbara Tweed Payne; Sir Geoffrey James Foot (1 speech)
      Tonight I stand to pay tribute to two outstanding Tasmanians who lived in Launceston, Barbara Tweed Payne and Sir Geoffrey James Foot. Barbara Payne was born in Devonport in 1926 to a family that...
    • Australian Wine Industry (1 speech)
      I rise to speak about the Australian wine industry, and I trust be Senate will forgive me if I become a little parochial and refer specifically to my own state of South Australia. It was recently...
    • Sudan (1 speech)
      I rise this evening to talk about the continuing crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan, a crisis which the world, very sadly, seems to have turned its back on. As we enjoy glorious autumn days in...
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • (0 speeches)
      The following documents were tabled by the Clerk: [Legislative instruments are identified by a Federal Register of Legislative Instruments (FRLI) number] Financial Management and Accountability...